Paris' Walt Disney Studios - Animation Inauguration and Legend Ceremony,

Paris' Walt Disney Studios - Animation Inauguration and Legend Ceremony
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Richard Todd
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Richard Todd was one of the many British beneficiaries of fiscal policy after World War II. As a Hollywood studio, Walt Disney was unable to remove the box office grosses from England in an attempt by the government to encourage foreign investment and prevent vital post-war cash from leaving the island. Walt decided to put the profits to good use and invest in British productions based on classic British stories, such as The Story of Robin Hood & His Merrie Men, the Sword and the Rose and Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue. Todd was chosen for his handsome good looks and refined acting pedigree. Todd was particularly humourous as he collected his Legend statutue as he brushed aside numerous offers of a microphone from Roy and in his tales of “Mister Disney�?.

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Robert Stevenson
(c) Disney
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Robert¹s wife collects the award
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Robert (“Bob�?) Stevenson was the most prolific and successful director in Disney feature history. Throughout the sixties, Bob had an unusual knack of blending fantasy with reality and was always Walt’s first choice for such enduring classics as Mary Poppins, Old Yeller, Darby O’Gill and the Little People, The Absent-minded Professor, Kidnapped, In Search of Castaways and many more. His unpretentious style was refreshing and Bob was able to provide enough fodder for both children and adults in his movies. An Englishman who was brought up in the Derbyshire hills with his 11 eleven siblings, he moved to Hollywood in the late thirties. During World War II, the director Frank Capra tapped him to co-produce war-time documentaries for the United States War Department. His involvement at Disney began in 1957 for Johnny Tremain and he remained at the studio for the rest of his working life. Bob passed away in 1986 in California and Roy accepted the award on his behalf.

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Tim Rice
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Sir Tim Rice is one of the most prolific lyricists in history. His collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber alone have resulted in numerous smash-hit musicals watched by tens of millions of theatregoers. Rice had visited the Disney lot on numerous occasions in the eighties as the studio considered turning several of his musicals into movies. However, it was not until the sudden and premature death of Howard Ashman that his services would be required. Rice was brought in to finish the lyrics for Beauty and the Beast (for which he refused a credit as he felt that Ashman’s touch was dominant throughout the feature, as both producer and lyricist and that the movie was testimony to his vision and production values). Rice also worked with Alan Menken, also a Disney Legend on Aladdin, once again completing the work laid down by Ashman.

However, with the Lion King, the lyrics were all Rice. His soaring words created the Circle of Life and brought great heart and compassion to the story. For the stage musical, he further collaborated with Sir Elton John, pumping in humour to the story through such additions as The Morning Report and Chow Down. New York theatregoers continue to provide full houses for Disney’s Aida, his latest teaming with John. Although working on new projects outside the Company, Rice continues to work with Chris Montan at Walt Disney Records on several potential projects.